For a long time, Mijaíl seemed to be the epitome of a loving husband and devoted father to our children—seven-year-old Ana and five-year-old Vanya. He played hide and seek with them in the garden, attended their school events, and read bedtime stories. He was the kind of dad every mother dreams of having by her side.
So, when he started taking them every Saturday to his mother’s home, I had no reason to be concerned. Grandmother Diana was extremely fond of her grandchildren; she baked cookies, taught them to knit, and followed them around the yard as they played.
After Mijaíl’s father passed away, he seemed eager to help his mother cope with her solitude, which touched my heart. Those Saturday visits felt completely normal to me.
However, over time, I began to notice certain signs that raised my suspicions.
Initially, my mother-in-law stopped updating me about the visits. Previously, she would call weekly to share how happy the kids were with her, but one day when I innocently asked:
“How did it go with the kids? It must be nice to have them every week, right?”
She hesitated.
“Ah… sure, my dear,”
she replied, but her tone was peculiar and strained.
I assumed she might just be tired or feeling down.
Then, Mijaíl began to insist more and more that I should stay home while they were out.
“It’s time for my mom and the kids,”
he would say, giving me a peck on the cheek. “You need to rest, Amina. Enjoy a bit of peace.”
He made a valid point; those quiet Saturdays were a welcome respite for me. But something felt off… Whenever I expressed the desire to join them, he would avoid my gaze. For the first time, anxiety pricked at me. Why did he want to keep me away?
One morning, as Mijaíl and Vanya were getting into the car, Ana dashed towards the door, shouting:
“I forgot my jacket!”
I smiled at her and said,
“Be good for Grandma!”
But then she stopped, looked up at me seriously, and whispered,
“Mom… ‘Grandma’ is a secret code.”
I felt my heart skip a beat. Ana’s cheeks turned crimson, her eyes widened, and she bolted out.
Frozen, I pondered the meaning of “secret code”. Was Mijaíl deceiving me? What was he hiding?
Without a second thought, I grabbed my bag and keys. I needed to uncover the truth.
I followed my husband’s car at a distance, and soon realized he was not heading to Diana’s. He drove toward an unfamiliar area of the city and paused at a secluded park.
I parked a few meters away and watched. Mijaíl got out, took the children’s hands, and walked towards a large oak tree.
That’s when I saw her.
A red-haired woman in her thirties sat on a bench. Beside her, a nine-year-old girl with the same fiery hair. When the little girl ran towards Mijaíl, he lifted her into his arms as if he had done so all his life. Ana and Vanya quickly joined in, giggling joyfully. The exchange between Mijaíl and this woman struck me with a chill.
I couldn’t remain still. With shaky legs and a pounding heart, I got out of the car and approached them.
Upon seeing me, Mijaíl turned pale.
“Amina… what are you doing here?”
I responded with a choked voice,
“That’s what I’m asking you. Who is she? And who is that girl?”
Ana and Vanya rushed toward me, calling out, “Mom!” and trailing behind was the unfamiliar child.
“Go play for a bit,”
Mijaíl said in a tense tone, pointing towards the swings.
The woman turned away uncomfortably. Mijaíl ran his hand through his hair, murmuring,
“We need to talk.”
Her name was Svetlana, and the girl was Lilia. Mijaíl began to explain, each word shattering my heart.
“Before I met you, I had a brief relationship with Svetlana. When I learned she was pregnant, I panicked. I wasn’t ready to be a father… so I ran away.”
She raised Lilia alone, never once asking for help. A few months ago, they coincidentally reconnected. Curious, Lilia began to ask questions about her father, and Svetlana finally agreed to let them meet gradually.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you take our kids to see her without discussing this with me?”
I asked, teetering on the verge of tears.
“I was scared. Scared of losing you and destroying what we have. I just wanted the kids to know their sister without hurting you. I know I messed up, but I didn’t know how to do it right.”
My world crumbled. He had deceived me, taking away my right to make decisions. Yet watching Lilia play with Ana and Vanya stirred something within me.
This wasn’t only a betrayal… it was the story of a girl yearning to know her father.
Back home, we spoke for hours, fluctuating between accusations, tears, and silent moments. Mijaíl confessed that his mother, Diana, was aware of everything and had helped him cover up his outings by claiming they were “visits to Grandma.”
“My mother begged me to tell you, but I thought there would be a better time…”
he admitted, visibly ashamed.
The following day, I was the one to invite Svetlana and Lilia over. If they were to be part of our lives, I wanted to know them better.
Initially, Lilia appeared shy, clinging to her mother. However, Ana and Vanya began playing with her as if they were lifelong friends. In just a few minutes, they were building a tower of blocks, laughing together.
Svetlana and I found ourselves seated in the kitchen. It began awkwardly, but soon the conversation flowed. She wasn’t an enemy; she was a mother who had done everything possible for her daughter. All she wanted was to provide her with a family.
Months passed. It wasn’t easy. Trust cannot be rebuilt in a day. But now, Lilia visits every Saturday, and the kids love her.
Mijaíl and I continue to work on our relationship. I haven’t forgotten, but I’m learning to forgive. No more secrets.
Now, every Saturday, we all go to the park together.
No lies.
No codes.
Just us.
A family.